# salty

/ˈsɔɫti/ (US) · /sˈɒlti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/salty
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. tasting of salt

adjective · CEFR A2

tasting of or containing a lot of salt.

For teachers: containing, tasting of, or preserved with salt.

- The soup was too salty for me to finish, so I asked for some water.
- The chef warned that the cured ham was naturally salty and required no additional seasoning before being served with the melon.

### 2. annoyed or bitter

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

feeling annoyed, angry, or bitter, especially about something that is not very important.

For teachers: characterised by resentment, irritation, or bitterness, typically following a minor defeat or perceived slight.

- He was still salty about losing the video game even though it was just for fun.
- She seemed a bit salty after the meeting, likely because her proposal was the only one the committee rejected without discussion.

### 3. coarse or provocative

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

using language that is a bit rude, shocking, or funny in a rough way.

For teachers: referring to language or humour that is coarse, earthy, or mildly provocative.

- The old sailor told some salty stories about his time at sea.
- The comedian's salty language was a hit with the late-night crowd, though it proved too controversial for the afternoon television slot.

### 4. experienced sailor

adjective · CEFR C2 · Informal

having a lot of experience, especially as a sailor who has spent years at sea.

For teachers: possessing significant experience or veteran status, particularly within naval or maritime contexts.

- The salty old captain knew exactly how to handle the ship during the storm.
- A few salty veterans remained at the shipyard, offering technical advice that the younger engineers had yet to master through formal training.

## Examples

- He got really salty after I won the race.
- She was still salty about the joke he made during lunch, even though everyone else thought it was funny.
- While the competitive nature of the tournament was expected, several players became visibly salty when the final rankings were announced, leading to a tense atmosphere in the lounge.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.